Shower cabinet construction



May 11, 1965 T. J. KUEHI.

sHowER CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed May 4, 1960 plasterers, tile-Setters and plumbers.

3,182,767 Patented 'May 11, rees VFiled May 4, 1960, ser. No. 26,823

zciaims. (Ghisa-36) Thislinvention relates to shower cabinefconstruction,

and contemplates a shower cabinet of high quality made with prefab-ricated members adapted for quickwand easy l assembly.

Prior shower cabinets",` of high quality have not been constructed with Vprefabricated, members. Usually only the floor member has been prefabricated, and the wallsV and ceiling have Vbeen constructed on the site by members of at least four .diiferentftrades namely, carpenters,

Such shower cabinets, while generally satisfactory, require excessive time and expense to construct, andaccordingly are not widely used. j

One object of the invention is to provide a shower cabinetot' high quality constructed entirely from prefabricated members which can be manufactured under ideal conditions.

Another object is to provide a shower cabinet of this type Vwhich can be assembled and installed by a mem- 4ber of only a single trade, namely, a plumber,Y

.Another object is to provide al shower cabinet which can be assembled and installed in anextremely short time and with little or no opportunity for error.

Still another object is to provide such a shower cabinet ,wherein the major component members (floor, ceiling. and

walls) are assembledV in waterproof manner without:r the .use of caulking materials. Thewaterproof joints of the cabinet are such that they'meet the requirements of all known building codes pertaining Vto the subject.

' Other objects, advantages anddetails of the invention 'will be .apparent as thedescription proceeds, reference being had to the` accompanying drawing wherein preferred form-s of the invention are showfn.V It is `to be understood that ,the description and drawing are illustrative only, and thatthe scope ofthe invention isto be measured by the appended claims.

In the drawing: a 1

F-IG. 1 is a perspective viewl of a shower cabinet, excluding door wall and ceiling members, constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded enlargedA sectional vievvionline 2 2 -of FIG. 1 showing details of the waterproof joint between the iloor member and` a'wall member.

FIG. 3 is an exploded enlarged sectional View on line 3-3' of FIG. 1 showing details of the waterproof joint between two Iadjacent wall members`-` FIG. 4 is a sectional view like that vof FIG. 2 showing Ia mod'ied joint' constructionfbetween the floor member andawallmember. 'y

Referring now to the drawing, the illustrated shower cabinet includes a Prefabricated-licor member having a central drain 1 1.V Although various types of ilor members are contemplated, it'is preferred to use alloor member comprising cast cementitious material. A terazvzo floor With polished marble/chips i-s particularly suitable and in line with the highv qualityand character of the present shower cabinet. Y

The upper surface of floor member 10 is recessed, and the recessed portion slopes gently "toward central drain 11. Marginal portions 12 of floor member 10 are provided withmolding structure, aswill be seen, which cooperates to establish Waterproof joints with the associated wall members of the cabinet. A

The illustrated shower cabinetalso include-s a back United States Panf u Inner ,pla-te 2:1 of awall member desirably is covered `throughout with a finishingmateerial 23 (FIG. 2) such as the well known plastic material identied by theV trade mark Formica.

Wall members constructed as shown and described are light in weight,.yet rigid and solid sounding, and possess a `desirable sound deadening characteristic, all of which are requisite to shower.` cabinets of high quality.'

Referring to FIG. 2, the caulk-free, waterproof joint.

between floor member lil and one of the wall members, namely member 16, now will be described.

A downwardly facing channel 25 is associated with the lower edge of Wall member 16 in waterproof manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, channel 25 may consistsimply of the lower margins 27 and 28 of wall member plates 21 and- 22. In other words, filler material 20 terminates somewhat short of the loweredges of the two plates. This downwardly facing channel 25 forms one lpart of the caulkafree, waterproofA joint between the wall and floor members.

Y The other pai-r of the caulk-free, waterproof joint between the wall and floor members is an elongated m-oldying 30 which is mounted on marginal portion 1 2 of oor member `10. Similar molding-s 30, of course, are mounted on the other marginal portions of oor member 10 which receive a wall member.

i EFor convenienceof description, molding 30 includes an outer portion 3l, an intermediate portion 32` and an inner portionn 33. The entiremolding 30 may consist of a sinvgle extruded piece, or it may be formed from a plurality of individual elements suitably securedj` together. The formsshown in FIGS. 2 and 4 comprise individual elements.'

One portion or" molding 30, preferably outer portion 31, is secured to floor member 10V in waterproof manner. As shown,'outer portion 31 has a pair of spaced llanges 35 and 36'wl1ich are embedded in marginal portion 12 of lio-or member `1t) when the latter is cast. An upper marginal part 37 out outer portion 31 extends somewhat above the adjacent top of oor member 10.

Inner portion 33 of molding 30 is a downwardly facing channel 40 which nests snugly within downwardly facing channel 25 of wall member 16 4when the latter is assembled on loor member 10. Channel 4t) encloses a space of substantial volume per unit length. This relatively large space'cooperates to prevent a buildup of water pressure within the joint and contributes materially to the waterproof character of the joint.

Channel 4b of molding 30 includes inner leg 41 and outer leg 42. `Inner leg 41 has its free, lower edge 43 inv generally parallel relation with the top of marginal portion 12 of iloor member 1i). Itis contemplated that water will be free to enter-the interior of channel 40 through spaces -between lower edge 43 and the top ot floor member marginal portion 12. However, because the space within channel 4il is of relatively large volume,no pressure buildup occurs,fand the water is free to exit the interior of channel the same way it entered. Outer legV 42 of inner portion 33 of the molding' constitutes an inner wall of intermediate port-ion 32 of the molding.

Intermediate portion 32 of molding 30 also includes an outer leg 45, which is secured to outer portion 31 of the molding, and a bottom leg 46 interconnecting legs 42 y and 45. This bottom leg, as shown, rests on the top of marginal portion 12 of floor `member 10. Intermediate portion 32 of molding 30 also includes a top leg 47 which extends from the top of leg 45 into engagement with downwardly facing channel 25 of wall member 16 when the two parts of the joint are assembled. j f The easily assembled, caulk-free joint described above provides an extremely tortuous path for water tending to move from the interior to the exterior of the joint. This tortuous path, together with the comparatively large space within downwardly facing channel 40, effectively `ricated wall members, namely vback wall member 15, has integral corners so that its respective abutting portions Veach may lie in the same plane as an adjacent side wall member..

Abutting portion51 (FIG. 3) of side Wall member 16 comprises a channel V53. As shown, legs 54 and 55 of channel 53 may be formed by the margins of the plates 21 and 22 of wall memberrl. As in the case of the bottom edge, filler material 20 terminates short of the free edges of the two plates.

A molding 60 is mounted in waterproof manner on the vertical edge of `abutting portion 50 of back wall member 15. Molding 60 includes spaced pairs of spaced .legs which extend toward legs 54 and 55 of channel 53.

Inner legs 61 and 62 constitute one pair of legs of molding 60,V and outer legs 63 and l64 constitute the other pair. The. spacing between the legs of each pair is such that legs 54 and 55 of channel 53 are received snugly between the legs of the respective pairs. t

To facilitate assembly of abutting wall portions, lone or. more of the intertting legs is made'shorter in cross sectional length than other ofthe legs. Thus, as illustrated -in FIG. 3, legs 61 and 62 on molding 60 are shorter than legs 63 and 64. This permits leg S5 of channel 53 to enter the space between legs 63 and 64k before engagement of legs 54 with the other pair of legs. Thus, the initial engagement between respective legs of the two abutting portions serves to guide the other legs'into proper engagement.

To further facilitate assembly, at least some of the legs are provided with a beveled free edge. As shown in FIG. 3, the edges of legs 61, 63 and 64 are beveled to provide an entrance throat leading to the space between the legs of each pair.

T'he central space between legs 61 and 63 of molding 60 is Vcomparatively large, and as a result there is no damaging buildup of water pressure in the joint. VAny water which may enter the space simply drains from the bottom into the recessed portion of oor member and thence to drain 11.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified form `of caulk-free, waterproof joint between aoor member 4 and leg 78 are secured together as shown by suitable fasteningmeans 8,3. Finishing material secured to plate 73 also overlies andv isy secured to flange 82, as shown in FIG. 4.

Edging member 80, or equivalent, is of particular importance in cases where plate 73 is of steel or other material subject to water attack. Member,v 80V desirably is formed of water resistant material such as sheet aluminum. Such material has a further advantage that the free edge thereof easily can be trimmed a-fter lamination thereof with the finishing material 85, and the raw trimmed edge will not be sensitive to water attack.

Molding on floor member 70 isgenerally the same as that illustrated in FIG. 2 with the exception that more separate elements are used, and there is some Variation in the details of the respective elements. Thus, outer portion 91 is a plate having lower ange 92 embedded in floor member 70. The upper margin of outer portion 91 is bent back on itself to provide a flange 93 which also is embedded in the floor member.

Intermediate portion 95 is made up of two elements. One is a downwardly facing channel 96 havingl a long leg 97 secured bymeans 98 to outer portion 90. Web 99 of channel 96 is of such length that associated short leg 100 is in engagement with plate 74 of the assembled wall member 71.

The other element of intermediate portion 95 is an upwardly facing channel 102 having an outer leg 103 secured to leg 97 in any suitable manner as by screw means 98. Web 104 of channel 102 restson floor member 70 and other leg 105 of the channel is disposedV on the inside of leg 76 of wall member 71.

.Leg 105 also constitutes a part of inner portion 107 of molding 90. This inner portion also includes a horizontal web 108 which terminates with a right angle flange 109- in engagement with llange 82. The free edge 110 of flange 109 is inV spaced relation from the top of oor member 70 to minimize the possibility of water flow between ange 109 and ange S2. Again, the space bounded by flange 82, flange 109, web 108, leg 105 and the top of floor member 70 is comparatively large in volume per unit length. Such a space prevents the buildup of water pressure at this critical part of the joint. Overall, a tortuous path is provided through the joint through which the passage of water is impossible.

As previously mentioned the present shower cabinet is quickly and easily assembled and installed with the services of a plumber only. The caulk-free joints between wall members and floor member are fully waterproof, as are the joints betweenrespectivewall members. The shower cabinet possesses all of the appearance and functional characteristics of the highest quality shower cabinets which heretofore have been built on the job at considerable time and expense by carpenters, plasterers, tile Setters and plumbers.

l From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily f apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in gles to form horizontal leg 77 which is generally parallel to the edge of filler material 72, andspaced therefrom. The free edge of inner plate 73 is bent at right angles to formhorizontal leg 7S which lies between leg 77 and the edge of filler material 72.

An edging member 80 includes a channell 31 which ts over leg 7S and has aright angle flange 82 .lying in the f detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A waterproof joint forY a shower cabinet having a oor member and a wall member, said joint comprising a molding located on the top of a marginal portion of said floor member and an intertting, downwardly facing channel on the lower edge of said wall member, said molding having an outer portion connected to said floor member in a waterproof manner, an intermediate portion and an inner portion, said inner portion comprising a downwardly facingchannel nesting snugly within s-aid downwardly facing channel of said wall member and enclosing a space of substantial volume per unit length, said last channel having inner and outer legs, said inner leg having a free edge in generally parallel relation with 5 said marginal por-tion top of said floor member, said outer leg constituting an inner wall of said intermediate portion, said intermediaterportion also including an outer leg connected to said outer portion, a bottom leg interconnecting said outer leg of said inner portion and said outer leg of said intermediate portion'and a topV leg extending from said outer leg of said intermediate portion into engagement with said downwardly facing channel of length, and an adjacenty portion having a bottom leg connected to said second downwardly facing channel and resting on said marginal portion, an outer leg extending upwardly from said bottom leg in spaced relation with said rst downwardly facing channel and a topl leg extending vfrom said outer leg into engagement with said iirst downwardly facing channel, the junctures between said inter'tting channels and between said top leg and said second channel defining tortuous paths which, in cooperation with said spaces, prevents the ow of water from thefnside to the outside of said joint.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Y 977,753 12/10 Schumann 50-1-28 1,791,135 2/3-1 Kummer i 50-474 Y 1,817,641 8/31 Nilson 1'89--36 2,268,636 1/42 Becker 189--36 2,423,722 7/47 Nilson 189-2 2,717,664 9/55 Grafman 189-34 2,877,508 3/59 Ewart. 2,905,283 9/59 Leach 189-36 Y JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

CORNELIUS D. ANGEL, LRICHARD W. COOKE, Y Examiners. 

1. A WATERPROOF JOINT FOR A SHOWER CABINET HAVING A FLOOR MEMBER AND A WALL MEMBER, SAID JOINT COMPRISING A MOLDING LOCATED ON THE TOP OF A MARGINAL PORTION OF SAID FLOOR MEMBER AND AN INTERFITTING, DOWNWARDLY FACING CHANNEL ON THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID WALL MEMBER, SAID MOLDING HAVING AN OUTER PORTION CONNECTED TO SAID FLOOR MEMBER IN A WATERPROOF MANNER, AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND AN INNER PORTION, SAID INNER PORTION COMPRISING A DOWNWARDLY FACING CHANNEL NESTING SNUGLY WITHIN SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING CHANNEL OF SAID WALL MEMBER AND ENCLOSING A SPACE OF SUBSTANTIAL VOLUME PER UNIT LENGTH, SAID LAST CHANNEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER LEGS SAID INNER LEG HAVING A FREE EDGE IN GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATION WITH SAID MARGINAL PORTION TOP OF SAID FLOOR MEMBER, SAID OUTER LEG CONSTITUTING AN INNER WALL OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION, SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION ALSO INCLUDING AN OUTER LEG CONNECTED TO SAID OUTER PORTION, A BOTTOM LEG INTECONNECTING SAID OUTER LEG OF SAID INNER PORTION AND SAID OUTER LEG OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND A TOP LEG EXTENDING FROM SAID OUTER LEG OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING CHANNEL OF SAID WALL MEMBER. 